Shoe-form



(No-Model.)

E. B. STORY. SHOE FORM.

No. 583,157. Patented May 25, 1897.

Witnesses. Inventor.

. E.. 0T M 26. 2% x 4 Attorneys.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWVIN B. STORY, OF GRAFTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 583,157, dated May 25,1897.

Application filed November 24, 1896. Serial No. 613,264l. (No model.)

To all whom it 'may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN B. STORY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grafton, in the county of WVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoe-Forms,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a paper form which is intended to fit inside ofa shoe in order to preserve the shape thereof and prevent the shoe frombeing crushed or distorted.

The object of my invention is to provide a light paper shoe-form whichcan be built up or made from pieces of scrap or waste paper.

To these ends my invention consists of the features of construction, ashereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimsat the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a papershoe-form constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a sideviewillustrating the manner in which the inner layers are formed on alast. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the form after it has beentrimmed, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner inwhich the inner layers are cut or slit in order to permit them to beremoved from the last.

In the transportation of shoes it frequently happens that the body orforward part of the shoe is crushed in, so as to crack the leather ordestroy the appearance of the shoe. This is especially true in regard tothe sample shoes carried by traveling men or drummers.

In order to preserve the shape of sample shoes, it has heretoforeordinarily been the custom to employ wooden blocks or forms to fill outthe body of the shoe. These wooden forms are heavy and expensive.

The special object of my invention is therefore to provide a shoe-formespecially adapted for preserving the shape of sample shoes duringtransportation, although forms constructed according to my invention maybe employed with advantage in show-windows or other places where it isdesired to preserve the correct shape of shoes.

In building up a shoe-form accordingto my invention a last B of thedesired shape is first carefully oiled or greased. A number of layers 10of small pieces of scrap paper are then pasted together around theforward or body portion of the last. Any ordinary paste or glue may beemployed for securing the pieces of paper together, but in practice Ipreferably secure the last of the layers 10 by means of starch, asstarch is more penetrating than ordinary paste and will give theconstruction a greater degree of stiffness. The rear ends of the layers10 are trimmed OK at an incline, as 14, and when they have properly setor dried they are cut or slit, as at 12 and 13, in order to permit themto be removed or taken off the last. When the layers 10 have beenremoved from the last, the outer layers 11 for reinforcing or stiifeningthe inner layers 10 are added, and when the same have been properlydried and set the form may be sandpapered smooth and finished with an ydesired kind of blacking, shellac, or paint.

Shoe-forms constructed according to my invention may of course be formedof any shape and may be constructed to cover more or less of the last,as desired.

I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the forms which I have shownand described; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. As an article of manufacture, a hollow paper shoe-form comprisinginner layers 10 having slits cut therein to permit them to be removedfrom the last, and outer continuous layers 11 for reinforcing said innerlayers, substantially as described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a paper shoe-form A shaped to conformto the front and body portion of a shoe, said form com prising innerlayers 10 of small pieces of paper pasted together, said inner layersbeing slit at 12 and 13 to permit said layers to be removed from thelast, and outer continuous layers 11 for reinforcing said inner layers,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

EDWIN B. STORY.

Witnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, JAMES H. BANCROFT.

